Hi, I'm new here. I have two American Eskimos both are very sensitive from the start at 3 months old. My 2yr old is fine, but my 8 month old gets nervous and pees all of the time. Today I called her to get a treat, nothing to get upset about and she did it again. I talk to her like a baby, hoping she won't get upset. She gets happy when my husband gets home .. But she will not run up to him. He has to sit on the couch and wait for her to crawl over to him with tail wagging and he's afraid to touch her because she will pee all over. She has a kennel she sleeps in. She only pees in there when we go to let he out. As I open the door she goes nuts (as in Happy) can't control herself and she pees alittle, in the morning sometimes alot. She gets alot of baths.
I took her to petsmart just to see how she would deal with other people. At home she hides in the kennel, but she will come out when shes ready. She did realy well some guy stopped to pet her, she put her head out for him but as soon as he touched her she pees. I don't know what to do?
Any suggestions??

Brenda

She sounds like a very sensitive, very submissive little pup.

When you greet her, don't make a big fuss. Just say hi, and then ignore her. Never notice that she's wee'd. Don't comment on it at all, because she doesn't know she's done it.

When she gets braver and more confident she'll stop this submissive weeing. The more notice you take, the longer she'll do it.

She's probably just extremely submissive. However, it is not unwarranted to take her to the vet and have her checked out for a bladder infection or some other kind of medical illness. Better safe than sorry.

Best regards,
Oblivious

Hi, The vet said she's fine and in good health. Other then her car sickness. Most of the time we have to sit down on the couch and then she will run to come sit with me, but not while I am standing. My older one used to be the same way, but she would shake when nervous. She's seems like a happy pup all of the time until I try to call her to come here or give her treats.

I really never thought that maybe she doesn't realize that she's doing it. She squats down to do it, so I assumed she knew that she was. But I always let her out, then clean up when she's not looking. I don't want to stress her out any more then she is. Maybe she's just slow in developing with the bladder. She is smaller then we thought she was going to be.

Most dogs go through a 'fear impact stage' at around 8 - 10 weeks, although some dogs don't stick to these ages (particularly if maybe their health was a problem in the early days - like children they may take a while to 'catch up). At 8 months she could well also be going through the 2nd fear impact stage - talking baby talk to her is rewarding the behavious - ignore it, take her outside to say 'hello', encourage her to 'sit' when you say hello as well - it makes it more difficult for the dog to pee if it is sitting properly. Try to be aware of your body language as leaning over her to make a fuss of her is very threatening to her in 'dog language' and she's simply reacting to you as she would an adult dog who was being threatening. Turn sidedways to her, crouch down rather than bend over, sit on the floor if necessary, but don't put an arm over her shoulder, don't look her in the eye, - you'll probably also notice she blinks, licks her lips and/or yawns as well - this is 'dog speak' for 'please chill out, your making me worried' - a non threatening adult dog would do the same back at her - so you can try the same, by licking your lips, yawning and blinking too...

HTH

I got her at 3 months old, she was with alot of other dogs on a farm.
The vet said she's fine but we think she's the runt at 8 months she is still small 15lbs my other one is 26lbs and alot taller there moms are sisters but different dad's.

Most of the time I have them both sit before I give them treats if not they would both be bouncing everywhere.. She has been able to learn to sit, lay, shake and the start of roll over. I take her in a different room to teach her, that seems to help. And she always looks right into your eyes. if I turn my back she will come around to see me. It's almost like she got a split personality and the nervous part comes out a couple of times a day.
If I play with both dogs together out side, she plays with me. but if the other one wonders off she stands back and becomes distant. Then if I call here to me she runs and I can't catch her. Until I go in the house and call her with the door open she comes.

I just don't understand in the house she always wants to be with me they both chase me everywhere, she lets me know when she wants up to be held. But it's on her terms, when I call her to me it's not and she gets nervous. I think she needs a therapies.

HI
One of my ridgebacks a bitch 7months old has the same problems in the holding in department and size and weight,people have said she must be the runt of the litter (the bad thing is I picked her first from a litter of 12)but I would not change her for the world,we have a mop and bucket ready at all times.

well atleast I'm not alone, makes me feel better. I wouldn't change her either.. She has a great personality otherwise and my other dog would be lost without her. I just hope she can out grow this soon.
Thanks